AWFUL: A Mother Suffered Burns while Shielding Child from Pandacan Fire

I have been writing about causes to support for years, but this one hits close to home. On January 23, at about 10 pm, a big fire razed 10 houses in a compound near my house in Pandacan, Manila. The fire happened practically a stone’s throw away from the headquarters of ATD Fourth World Philippines, the nonprofit anti-poverty organization that I volunteer with.

There were 38-39 families affected, losing not only their homes but almost everything in them. A mother suffered third-degree burns while shielding her child, according to Mae-Ann Reginaldo, one of ATD’s program coordinators. Both mother and child are still in the hospital.

ATD is now calling out for help in behalf of our neighbors who lost their homes. The barangay chair says that those affected by the fire need construction materials for makeshift houses, school supplies, items for cooking, and canned goods.

Here are the items they need:

• Roofing materials
• Plywood
• Notebooks, pens, school bags, and other school supplies
• Stoves and other cooking utensils
• Rice, canned goods, and food items for cooking

There are 17 children displaced by the fire. The families are temporarily staying at a chapel and under tents along the street but they need to vacate these places soon, Mae Ann reveals.

You may drop off your donations at the Brgy. 847 Hall along Labores St. in Pandacan, Manila. The contact persons are Bgry. Chair Nemia dela Rosa (CP# 0928 6054980) and Kagawad Babes Santos with (CP# 0905 7674225). You may also email ATD Fourth World Philippines at philippines@atd-fourthworld.org for more details.